Remember when the Toronto Blue Jays used to hit home runs?

The good old days of 2021 and 2022 are long gone, all we are left with is a team that lacks power and the inability to hit with runners in scoring position – if they can get on base at all.

This series in Houston is similar to last season’s early trip to Minute Maid Park (or Daikin Park, whatever it’s called now). That series saw the Jays drop two of three, being shut out in both losses and nearly shut out in their 2-1 win until Davis Schneider hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth.

Through two games, the Jays have scored one run thanks to Nathan Lukes’ solo blast in Tuesday’s game. Other than that, they are 0-3 with runners in scoring position. That runner in scoring position was George Springer on third base with no outs on Monday, they didn’t cash him in. In the two games the Blue Jays have played this series, they’ve been limited to just four hits, not nearly good enough.

Speaking of the last time the Jays visited Houston, Bowden Francis made a start in that series, and well, it didn’t go great. It was his first big league start and he gave up seven earned runs, three home runs, and struck out seven in five and one-third innings pitched. Hopefully, tonight’s game goes significantly better.

The Jays’ lineup is arguably the best one they could’ve put out (until Daulton Varsho returns). Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Anthony Santander bat one through three. Hopefully, they can start to hit for some power here. Springer is batting cleanup against his former team, while Andrés Giménez and Alejandro Kirk bat fifth and sixth, respectively. The Jays have a power threat in Addison Barger in the seventh spot, with Will Wagner and Alan Roden filling out the final two spots.

Let’s set up Wednesday’s game!

Toronto Blue Jays – Bowden Francis: 2–2 record, 3.13 ERA, 23 IP, 20 SO, 8 BB

Houston Astros – Ryan Gusto: 2-1 record, 3.18 ERA, 17 IP, 17 SO, 3 BB